Contributed by Amy Russell, Maine SNAP-Ed Nutrition Educator

Winter is the perfect season for soup! 

Soup is a great way to eat healthy and save money. Soups can be packed with delicious and nutritious ingredients - pureed vegetables, recipes with whole grains or beans, and veggie-heavy stews. Start with leftover ingredients that you may have from meals made earlier in the week! Add in some immune-supporting ingredients, such as ginger, garlic, herbs, and other spices, for an easy, healthy, budget-friendly, and nutrient-dense meal. 

You can cook soup in a crock pot during the day for a quick meal when you get home. If you have leftovers, just heat them in a pot on the stove until warm. Soup is a simple, healthy meal that can be customized for everyone!

My grandmother used to make soup every Saturday for lunch. She used leftover vegetables like roasted carrots, potatoes, and beans from meals she made earlier in the week. Sometimes, she would add leftover chicken or pork from a roast she had made, or rice from taco night. She would whip up a tomato-based soup if she had leftover lasagna. The options are endless! 

A warm soup is great for fighting winter colds - chicken noodle soup is a classic favorite for kids! Here’s an easy recipe for Chicken and Vegetable soup to try this winter. Feel free to swap in your favorite vegetables or use what you have at home. Enjoy!

Chicken and Vegetable Soup

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon onion (chopped)

• 1 can of tomatoes, low-sodium (14.5 ounces, broken up)

• 1 cup potatoes (cut in pieces)

• 2 cups chicken broth, low-sodium (14.5-ounce can)

• 1/2 cup chicken, cooked and chopped

• 1 package mixed vegetables (10-ounce frozen)

• 1/4 teaspoon thyme

• 1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper

• 1/8 teaspoon salt

Directions

1. Wash hands with soap and water.

2. Put the tomatoes, potatoes, and broth in the pot. Cook on medium heat until they boil.

3. Add the onion. Turn the heat to low, and simmer for 10 minutes.

4. Add the remaining ingredients.

5. Cover the pan.

6. Cook for at least 5 more minutes over low heat until vegetables are tender.

Recipe from: https://www.myplate.gov/recipes/quick-chicken-vegetable-soup

Healthy Acadia’s Maine SNAP-Ed Nutrition Educators offer year-round cooking and nutrition classes in partnership with schools and organizations throughout Hancock and Washington counties. To learn more or schedule a class, contact Shannon (shannon.cherry@healthyacadia.org) or Andrea (andrea.coffin@healthyacadia.org) in Washington County, or Amy (amy.russell@healthyacadia.org) in Hancock County.